Summer Camp, Jr. Camp, and Choir Tour

Listen!  Do you hear that?  (You probably need to mute my music player to truly appreciate it .)  That's right!  That is the sound of nothing.  Peace.  Quiet.  Silence.  Ahh!

Collin left Monday for RYM Camp in Panama City, Florida. I think my summer vacation has truly begun!  I am absolutely thrilled for him to be at camp!  Seriously, though, I pray that he will have a truly worshipful experience and that his relationship with Jesus will grow stronger.  And, of course,  I want him to enjoy the beach and all of the fun recreational activities and return safely with his fellow campers.  www.rymonline.org

  However,  I am definitely enjoying a little "me" time while he is gone.

The last two summers Collin went to ODP Soccer Camp.  The first year, he went without a "buddy" and didn't even know who his roommate would be.  He's quite brave.  I never would have gone to camp without a friend. He also attended a camp called Student Life for Kids in Alabama, a few years ago. My sister's church was taking a group and invited him to go. Again he didn't no anyone but his cousins.  (My sister chaperoned.)  He somehow ended up on stage at that camp as the "Camper of the Day" and participated in some of the skits.

Collin - far left in yellow hat

Collin on stage at summer camp

One thing I can say for him is that he is not shy.  He never meets a stranger and has always been quite a character.

Collin headed to a costume party.

He reminds me a lot of this character:

My father-in-law

Both of them are witty, kind-hearted, matter-of-fact, and love to take charge!

While I was packing up Collin for camp I thought about all of those summers I spent going to Jr. Camp.  Each year my church took elementary age students to camp at Lake Tiak O'Khata, in Louisville, Mississippi.

                                                     www.ltok.com

We packed up a U-Haul, loaded two buses, (one with ac and one without), and headed north on the Natchez Trace, stopping to eat a picnic lunch on the way.  Once there, we participated in various activities:  swimming, basketball, tennis, etc.  We had worship services, music, devotion times, and fabulous meals!  At night, we would sit out under the stars and watch movies.  One night there was a haunted walk in the woods called "The Red Eye Hunt."  Now that I think about it, our church staff was very forward thinking and creative for the 1970s and 80s.  So many children were led to Christ after attending that camp,  including myself.  I made my profession of faith and was baptized when I was 9 1/2.

Once I moved into the youth group at my church our summer trips were called Choir Tour. Usually about 80-100 teenagers would spend 10 days sightseeing and performing our summer "musical"  at various churches around the U.S. We would spend the final days of our tour at a retreat-like setting and focus more on Bible devotions and worship.  We traveled to places like Washington D.C., Disney World, New York, the Bahamas, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Each year it was some place different.  Lots of fun and great memories!

"Choir Tour" Flyer

"Choir Tour" Flyer

I found those copies of those old "Choir Tour" flyers in my suitcase I used for summer camp.  For some reason, Collin didn't want to pack his stuff for camp in my old suitcase.  I can't imagine why?

My Old Suitcase

I even found some of my old Choir Tour t-shirts.

Sorry this picture is turned the wrong way!

One of my favorite musicals from Choir Tour - not sure of the year.

 So many great memories. I hope your summer is restful but loads of fun.  Honestly,  my week is starting to seem a little too quiet.  Collin will be home Friday, and it can't get here soon enough!